Marriage Equality Restored In State Of California

In 2008 the state of California put the rights of the LGBT community in the hands of voters. Now, and after a long battle the U.S Supreme Court in a 4-5 vote have voted to end the ban on same-sex marriage. Making same-sex marriage legal once again in the state of California.

Governor Brown has already moved for marriage licenses to be issued immediately once the Supreme Court’s decision is final.

Aside from California, same-sex couples may also marry in Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Washington State, and Washington, D.C. In Delaware same-sex marriage becomes legal on July 1, and in Rhode Island on August 1.

Elsewhere in the world marriage equality has already become legal. With countries such as Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, as well as certain jurisdictions in Brazil and Mexico. Marriage equality will begin in Uruguay on August 1, and in New Zealand on August 19, already passing laws supporting marriage equality.

After today’s Supreme Court ruling, President Obama called from Air Force One to weigh in on his thoughts during a broadcast on MSNBC. The President said, “We’re proud of you guys, and we’re proud to have this in California. And it’s because of your leadership things are heading the right way. So you should be very proud today.”

HRC President Chad Griffin also weighed in saying, “Today’s historic decisions put two giant cracks in the dark wall of discrimination that separates committed gay and lesbian couples from full equality. While we celebrate the victory for Californians today, tomorrow we turn our attention to the millions of LGBT people who don’t feel the reach of these decisions. From the Rocky Mountains to the heart of the South, it’s time to push equality forward until every American can marry the person they love and all LGBT people are guaranteed equal protection under the law.”

So what is next for the LGBT community in California. Couples can begin receiving marriage licenses once the Supreme Court’s decision is final.

Also, couples do not need to be a resident of California to marry in the state.

Couples who are in a registered domestic partnership may also wed as long as its the same person with whom they are registered as a Domestic Partner.